This ‘n That Thursday Looks at …(Whatever Could It Be?)

Okay, now. You know it’s going to be writing, right?  But such a lot of writing stuff you never imagined! So off we go! (See? I’ve just used TWO exclamation points in a row. That’s how excited I am.)

You know how you hear about something really great (five months ago) and plan to tell everyone about it but then you get carried away by your latest writing projects and maybe sitting outside on the lounge chair, reading a great book, and possibly watching entirely too many summer reality shows, and then you completely forget to mention it?

Um, yeah. So whilst talking to author and friendly mentor Karyn Henley at the Highlights Whole Novel Wokshop, she mentioned Holly Lisle’s workshops and writing books. (It must have made a big impression because I wrote “Holly Lisle” on a random page and underlined it twice.) And then the other day, the pushy helpful Amazon folks sent me an email espousing certain writing books and there was Holly Lisle’s plotting book for 99¢ (Kindle). So that sort of jarred my memory and I ordered it and then I went to her site and holy moly! TONS of helpful classes and books! Non-fiction, fiction, offered for whatever level of writer you are, and ridiculously reasonable. So there’s that.

And then I also forgot to remind you about the Chicken Soup From the Soul’s Married Life giveaway (from last week or so). You can read all about it at Get Your FREE Chicken Soup (For The Soul). And please post a comment there if you’d like to try to win a copy of this delightful book in the series. So there’s also that.

And finally, I forgot to mention (from yesterday) that I’d opined again about the arts and crafts festival, but this time I discussed What I Learned About Selling Books. It’s over at The Muffin so drop in there and get a few selling tips. (The lovely Becky P. mentioned some difficulty leaving a comment yesterday but I think that’s been fixed. Still, if you tried to leave a comment and couldn’t, please know how much I appreciate you!) So that’s that.

Whew. That was a lot of remembering to do this Thursday. So until the next catch-up Thursday, I’ll leave you with this: Happy writing! (See? I added an exclamation point, just for you.)

Rutgers One-on-One Plus Conference News! (And More Tips!)

So I am not gonna lie. I have been dashing to the mailbox for the last couple weeks, looking for that envelope from the Rutgers One-on-One Plus Conference. My desk overlooks the front of the house and when I would see the mail truck go by–zoom! I was down the stairs and out the door. I knocked down the Beneficent Mr. Hall more than once. (Not to worry. He just rolled to the end of the driveway where I graciously helped him up.)

Finally, I got my letter. Of acceptance. Wheee!

Yeah, you have to apply to attend the conference. Now, honestly, I have no idea how many people apply. They accept around 8o writers because around 80 professionals (editors and agents, mostly) attend to provide one-on-one mentoring. Maybe only 80 writers send in the packet. I don’t care. I felt special. For about 2 minutes. Than I read the letter and felt a little panicky.

You don’t know who your mentor will be. You also have an opportunity for what they call 5-on-5–and you don’t know who those five mentors will be, either. But you do know who the 80 mentors will be.

Now, I am a writer who believes in being prepared before I hit a conference. You can read all about it over at The Muffin today. And if you do, you’ll see that I like to research speakers. Not in a creepy, stalker way. Just the normal, crazed writer way.

THAT’S A LOT OF PROFESSIONALS TO RESEARCH.

I’m just sayin’. So you might not see much of me for a month or so. And P.S. I’m even going to let the Beneficent Mr. Hall fetch the mail.